Pump



.Dec; 21,1926. F 1,611,710

i W. L. AYERS PUMP Filed March 9, 1925 4 sheets sheet 1 WITNBS:

' Dec. 21 1926.

W. L. AYERS WITNESS:

Dec. 21 1926; r 1,611,710

W. L. AYERS PUMP File'd March 9 9g5 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Dec. 21 1926. 1,611,710

W. L. AYERS PUMP Filed March 9, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l/Illllllllllll1-- 9'0 Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

'UNITED STATES WALTER L. AYERS, 0F MARSHALL, TEXAS.

PUMP.

Application filed. March 9, 1925. Serial No. 14,213.

This inventionrelates to improvements in devices for inflating pneumatictires and has for an object the provision of automatically controlledmeans operated by the rotation of the wheels of an automobile formaintaining a predetermined air pressure within the tires.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby thetire inflating means may be regulated so as to regulate the amount ofair pressure within the tires.

More specifically stated, the invention comprises a normally inactivewheel carried pump which is operated by the rotation of a wheel tosupply air under pressure to the wheel tire, provision being made forrendering the pump operating means active when the pressure in the tirereaches a predetermined degree and for automatically rendering the pumpoperating means inactive when pressure within the tire is increased tothe desired amount.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and detailsof construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a portion of anautomobile wheel with the invention applied.

Figure 2 is a view taken at a right angle to Figure 1 approximately online 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation partly 1n section.

Figure 4: is a sectional view taken on line l-l of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a View taken substantially on line 7--7 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates an axlespindle upon which is mounted a wheel hub 11, the latter havingextending therefrom'spokes12 which connect with the rim 13, whilemounted upon this rim is a pneumatic tire 14. All of the foregoing maybe of any approved or desired construction, the invention being adaptedfor attachment to the spokes of a wheel of any character.

The inflating device which constitutes the present invention comprises apump cylinder and operating within this cylinder is a piston 16 whoseconnecting rod 17 is connected to the crank arm 18 of a shaft 19. Thisshaft 19 is mounted in a radially movable frame, the latter includingspaced inner and outer annular members 20 which are connected by meansof oppositely located radially disposed bars 21.

The members 20 carry oppositely located grooved slides 22 which operateover opposed guide lugs or flanges 23 which extend inwardly from a mainframe 24.

This main frame 24 is adapted to fit between adjacent spokes 12 of thewheel and its relatively inclined arms 25 which extend along and engagethe spokes are connected at their opposite ends as shown in Figure 3 ofthe drawings. Extending from the arms 25 and engageable around thespokes 12 are spaced clamps which include clamping members 26 rigid withthe arms 25 and clamping members 27 which are hingedly secured to saidarms 25, the hinges being shown at 28 in Figures 3 and 4 of thedrawings. The clamping members 26 and 27 are detachably connected bybolts 29 so that the main frame 24 will be securely held in place.

Extending from the'arms 25 of the main frame are spaced bars 30. Thesebars are rigid with the main frame and are provided with annularcylinder engaging bands 31 which securely hold the cylinder 15 invposition,

The cylinder is in communication with the usual valve 32 of a pneumatictire by means of a pipe or conduit 33, the latter being connected to theValve 32 by a coupling member 34. Previous to connecting the couplingmember 34,the usual insides of the valve are removed. A check valve isincluded in the pipe 33 so as to prevent the return of air into thecylinder 15.

Extending from the pipe 33 in opposite directions are pipes 36 and 37,the latter being provided with a relatively small cylinder 38 in whichis positioned plunger 39. Movement-of theplunger inone direct-ion isyieldingly resisted by a spring 40, the tension of which is regulated,by an adjusting screw 41. The plunger 39 has extending therefrom a stem42 which passes through guide openings provided in the bars 30 and hasits outer end secured to a lug' i which extends from one of the annularmembers 20 of the movable frame. Stops at are mounted upon the stem d2of the plunger 3.. A spacing collar 45 is mounted upon the stem 42adjacent the plunger 3!) so as to space the plunger from "the adjacentend of the cylinder 38,this end of the cylinderbeing in communieationwith, t-hepipe 37 by a passage 16.

The pipe 36 is provided at its outerend with a pressure relief valve t?\vhose spring may be tensioned by an adjusting nut 48. A coupling member19 extends from the pipe 36 for engagen'lent by the usual valve earried'by the 'hoseof an air pump,-so that if desired the tire-may be inflatedat a service station in the usual manner.

The shaft 19 has secured upon its outer end a beveled gear 50, thelatter being mounted in bearings carried :by an .exten sion 51 of theslidable frame. Thisextension 51 also provides bearings for a shaft52wvhieh has secured upon itsropposite ends pinions 53 and 54. Thisfirst mentioned pinion is engaged'by the gear 50,-Wl1ll0 the pinion 54isadapted-to engage a gear 55 Which is mounted upon a stationary =hulocap 56. In orderto holdthe cap 56 stationary it engages arectangularextension 57 carried at the outer end of the axle spindle10,1the

latter being also stationary. Anti-friction bearings 58 are providedbetween the stationary hub cap and-*the hub.

Normally, .the pinion 54 is disengaged fromthe gear55 sothat the pumpwill be inactive. -The pinion is held in this position. by pressure ofair upon the plunger 39,

ail from thetireltl passing througlrthepassage j-l-6 and exertingpressure upon'the end of the cylinder 38 andthe adjacent face of theplunger lVhenair Within the tire l i falls to a predetermined pressureregulated by the set screw ll, the action of the spring 40 upon theplunger 39 will force the plunger outward soas to slide the movableframe-radially and engage the pinion 54 with the gear 55. Rotation ofthe vehicle wheel \villthen rotatethe crank shaft 19 due to thetravelofthe pinion5flaround As soonas the de ing through the passage 46will act upon the plunger 39 and move the latter against the action ofthe spring &0 so as to move the frame 20 radially in an oppositedirection and disengage the pinion 54 from the gear 55.

The invention is susceptible of various ,changes in its form,,proportionsand minor .details of construction and the r ght 13 hereinreserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of theappended claims.

Having described the invention What is claimed is:

'1. A pneumatic tire inflating device comprising in combination with avehicle Wheel, a substantially triangular-shaped frame adapted to1bearranged'between two adjacent spokes of the wheel and conform to thecurvature of the adjacent portion of the felly thereof, a cylinderarranged centrally of said frame, spared bands surrounding saidcylinder, arms radiatil'ig from said bandsat dian'ietrically oppositepoints and in the direction of said spokes, clamping members .hingedlymountednn theouter end ofeach arm and adapted toembrace the adjacent -r;olres.and.supportthe cylinder in fixed relation thereto, an auxiliary:trame arranged within liliGzfil'Sl? mentioned frame and mount- .ed .forsliding:movementbeneath the cylinder, a crank shaft mounted in theauxiliary frame, a piston operating in thecylinder and connected withsaid shaft,.a stationary gear mounted adjacent the wheehgearing carriedby theslidable frame and operated by said .shaft, and adapted to engagethe sta ti nary gear, means controlled by .the pressure ofair Within thetireito hold the frame carried gearing normally disengaged from thestationary gear, and means for moving the frame and gearingcarriedzthcreby into engagement with ;the stationary gear .when thepressure of air in the tire is reduced.

2. A pneumatic tire iutlatingdevice com prising in combination with awheel, of a substantially vtriugular-shaped .frame arranged between twoadjacent spokes ofthc wheel, a cylinder positioned within the frame,bands surrounding the cylinder, arms radiating from said bands in thedirection of said spokes, two-part clamps hingedly mounted on the outerends of said arms and adaptedito embracethe adjacent sides of said frameand 55170165 to hold the frame and cylinderifixed on the wheel, a pipeestablishing communication between the cylinder and valve stem of thetire, auxiliary pipes projecting laterally from the first .mentionedpipe, an auxiliary frame slidable on the first-mentioned frame beneath.the cylinder, a. crankshaft journaled in the auxiliary frame, a pistonoperating Within the cylinder.andlconnected with said crank shaft,

.a, stationary .gear, gearing carried by the slidable frame and operatedby said shaft and adapted to engage the stationary ar. pressure actuatedmeans associated one of (he laterally disposed auxiliary pipes forholding the frame carried gearing di:-;engaged from the stationary gear,and adjustable to vary the pressure required to actuate said means,means for moving the frame and its gearing into engagement With thestationary gear when the predetermined pressure of the tire is reduced,and a normal- ]y seated valve arranged in the other anxi1 iary pipe forthe purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I. affix my signature.

VALT'ER L. AYERS.

